Evidence Supporting the Existence of a Host Cell Surface Receptor for Trypanosoma cruzi1

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Abstract
Membrane fragments from trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi inhibited the association of intact trypomastigotes with rat heart myoblasts whereas a similar preparation from non-invasive epimastigotes did not. Killed trypomastigotes bound to the host cell surface and prevented the attachment of living organisms. The extent of association of killed parasites with the host cells was reduced by the presence of living flagellates. This suggests the presence of a distinct structure(s) on the surface of rat heart myoblasts to which infective forms of T. cruzi can bind.